Best Party Hotels in Copacabana, Rio De Janeiro

The palatial 243-room Belmond Copacabana Palace is an historic Art Deco hotel just off the beach in Rio De Janeiro. The luxury property, now part of the Belmond hotel group, is classic and classy, with spacious, high-ceilinged common spaces and service staff that attend to guests throughout the hotel, the pool, and on the beach. Rooms are plush and elegant, and many have city or ocean views, well-stocked minibars, and beautifully tiled Juliet balconies. Features include a luxe spa, heated outdoor pool, and three highly regarded restaurants, as well as a lounge with a live DJ. This is one of the best hotels in town, and among the most expensive. Guests seeking something less formal, though still luxurious, could try Hotel Santa Teresa MGallery by Sofitel, which sits upon a tropically landscaped former coffee plantation. 

The four-pearl Pestana Rio Atlantica is located on lively Copacabana Beach. The 217 rooms are clean and verge on chic with modern features like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Some rooms overlook the beach, but they look a bit tired. The hotel’s amenities include a pretty rooftop pool, beach facility, buffet restaurant, free breakfast, spa, and plenty of meeting facilities. Service is overall good, but with a generally booked hotel, it can feel overcrowded at breakfast, in the pool area, or in front of the elevators. As an alternative, it may be worth pricing the beachfront Golden Tulip Regente which underwent renovations in 2015. 

The Bamboo Rio Hostel is a two-pearl option built on a quiet side street in Copacabana, three blocks from the party scene at Copacabana Beach and with several restaurants, bars, shops, and supermarkets in the neighborhood. The hostel offers three worn private rooms and gender segregated dormitories, catering mainly to young travelers and backpackers. Wi-Fi is free in all areas, and a simple breakfast -- included in the room rate --  is served in the Bamboo Restaurant and Bar. A communal kitchen facility and tiny plunge pool are decent perks for this price point. The dormitory beds are among the cheapest accommodation options you can find in the expensive Copacabana tourism scene.

The Copacabana Mar Hotel is a budget option two blocks from the party scene on Copacabana Beach. It's a good spot for those who care more about location and low rates than frills. Highlights include a free hot breakfast buffet, tiny rooftop pool with mountain and city views, and a lobby bar and restaurant renovated in 2013. Some rooms are on the small side and bathrooms definitely need maintenance work, but are clean overall. A fitness center and sauna sound like nice perks, but both are extremely out of date. Past guests have complained about everything from noise to weak (but free) Wi-Fi.